Delray,

I don't think that high or sheer as you call it will have any effect on Rita. right now, looks pretty impressive as she did last night. So, the thinking is that Rita will stand her ground, and I think an ERC will take place today, which would be bad, since landfall is predicted for tomorrow night learly morning on Saturday. Best scenario would it happen late tonight or even tomorrow, but the RECON is stating they are starting to see the outter eyewall starting to max out in wind capacity, which would indicate that it is in the process to recycle.